Metro Detroit businesses emerging from COVID restrictions now facing challenges from I-75 construction

By Stone Andrews On Jul 23, 2021

MADISON HEIGHTS, me. – Boodles Restaurant in Madison Heights is struggling to get out of COVID restrictions, one of many on 11 Mile Road devastated by the construction of Interstate 75.

The bridge to Royal Oak is gone and both exits are blocked.

“We only opened a couple a few months ago after that second episode with the pandemic and it’s like a disaster,” said owner Bruno Ferguson. “You can see the orange barrels at the bottom and that makes people avoid the area like the plague.”

“As soon as you think you’ve figured it out, go and blow the bridge,” said Joe Day, bartender at Boodles.

The only access is from John R. Road.

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“I had to tell everyone on the phone, ‘Where are you from?” Day said.

“I do about 35% versus 100%,” said Ferguson.

The significant loss of business means a significant loss of tips for servers and bartenders.

“You should rock Wednesday through Saturday and then hope that you have a Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Now you can’t even count on the busy nights, ”said Day.

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